Joan Elizabeth Gooch
August 26, 1927 - November 15, 2013
Obituary
Madison—Joan Lee Gooch passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. She was born in Forest City, Missouri, to John Frederick and Helen Condell Lee. After graduating from High School in Columbia, Missouri, she went to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She was working as an editor for Household magazine when she met James (Jim) W. Gooch who was an editor for Capper’s Farmer. They were married in 1949 in Topeka, Kansas. Their daughter Suzanne Lee and son James Bradley were born in St. Louis, Missouri, where the family lived for five years. They moved to Marquette, Michigan, in 1957 when Jim joined the Michigan State University Extension Service. Joan and her family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1970 where Jim served as the Director of Program Information for the University of Wisconsin-Extension for the next nineteen years.
Joan was active in The University League and Asbury Methodist Church and she greatly enjoyed auditing University of Wisconsin art history and music classes. Joan worked in fashion retail and was an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed gardening, antiques, classical music, bird watching and the UW Arboretum. She and Jim loved their trips to Door County, Wisconsin; St. Simon’s Island, Georgia and Europe. Joan dearly loved her family and taking part in their many activities.
She is survived by her daughter Suzanne of New York City, her son Bradley of Portland, Oregon, her sister Virginia of Prescott, Arizona, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers Robert and John and her sister Jane
.
A memorial service will be held at the Resurrection Chapel at Oakwood Village University Woods, 6165 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Wisconsin, at 11:30 a.m. on
Friday, Nov. 22, 2013.
Memorial donations may be given to the UW Arboretum by writing a check to “UW Foundation” with Arboretum on the memo line. They may be mailed to the Arboretum at 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
www.gundersonfh.com
Events
Service
Fri Nov 22, 2013 @ 11:30 AM CDT
Oakwood Village University Woods - Resurrection Chapel (Madison) • 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 57305
Photos
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Memories
MC
Mary Cook
Other •
Dear Suzie and family,
We met when we were both visiting our mothers. The end was drawing near for both of them and it was comforting to share a quiet conversation. My Mom, Ruth Hoxie, passed away on October 20. I have had you in my thoughts since then, knowing what you and your family were going through. This is a time of real loss for all of you. My most sincere condolences. May you be comforted by your memories and build your strength back in the days and weeks to come.
Mary Cook